EDITORIAL: Meaningful change in gun laws can still preserve right to bear arms

Around 3,000 protesters gathered outside of the Florida Capitol Building on Wednesday in support of gun reform. The protest comes one week after the shooting in Parkland, Florida that left 17 people dead.(Photo: Andrew Salinero/FSView)

The slaying of two Westerville police officers this month was heartbreaking to many — as shown by the tremendous show of support by the community and police across the country.

Yet while the funerals for those officers were still being planned another tragedy struck. The slaying of 14 students and three staff at a school in Florida shocked the country. How do you show respect for the victims of a mass killing when flags were already at half-staff from a separate tragedy just days before?

The killings were not linked, except how they each show flaws in the way the country handles the acquisition of firearms.

In Westerville, a convicted felon was able to illegally acquire a gun by having someone else buy it for him. We are grateful to law enforcement in their quick action in arresting the man responsible for this straw purchase, but we should all be aware that this arrest

is the exception and not the rule. State and federal law provide ample loopholes for people unable to legally to purchase guns to acquire them easily.

Ohioans are only all too familiar with those loopholes as the perpetrator of the Kirkersville slayings less than a year ago purchased his own weapons from private sales, according to the killer's father. It should be noted that no action to close this loophole, as we pleaded for last year, has occurred.

In Florida, a 19-year-old was allowed to legally acquire a semi-automatic weapon despite his age and numerous warnings he suffered from mental illness issues.
We were encouraged on Wednesday to hear President Donald Trump's willingness for change in regards to gun regulations. Specifically, he gave passing support to raising the minimum age to buy an assault rifle from 18 to 21, conducting more active shooter drills, and toughening background checks with mental health screenings.

We fully support thorough background screening for all firearm purchases. No amount of checks will eliminate illegal gun ownership, but we should make it as difficult as possible. We'd add a look at the necessity of high-capacity gun magazines is also appropriate.

Most importantly, we think the prohibition on using federal money to study gun violence should be lifted. How can we hope to find a solution when we are scared to study the question?

Fortunately, it seems there may be some true momentum to have a serious discussion about the role of guns. Gov. John Kasich, for example, recently seemed to soften his stances about the need for semi-automatic weapons.

But it will take constant pressure from the populace to change minds on a topic that seems as entrenched as gun ownership. We've heard platitudes and promises after past tragedies.

In this midterm election year, voters should question their candidates on what should be done about gun violence and them hold them accountable after they take office.

It will also take both sides being willing to actually talk to the other. Name calling will only make compromise more difficult.

We can make meaningful change that maintains the constitutional right to own a firearm while also limiting access to those who shouldn't own guns. But it will take compromise to do it.